How to Assess Your Career in 2016 and Make Plans for Career Growth in 2017

In order to move forward in your career, it’s imperative to take stock from time to time of where you have been. As 2016 comes to a close, it offers the perfect opportunity for you to look back on the last year and reflect on your professional growth. Not only will reflecting on your career help you see where you have grown, or failed to grow, but it can give you direction for where you want to be.

Assess Where You’ve Been
Now that we have reached the end of the year, think back over the last 12 months. Are you where you wanted to be in your career? Regardless of the answer, you should ask yourself several questions each year on a regular basis to determine if you are headed where you want to be, especially since goals can change over the course of time. Ask yourself the following questions to help self-assess your career health and growth:

1. Did I grow as a professional or in my career in the last year?
2. What has worked to get me where I am now?
3. What hasn’t worked well?
4. How can I grow, improve, and move forward this year?
5. Do I feel challenged and fulfilled? If the answer is no, what do I need to do to make that happen?
6. What did I like about my…